Super Bowl 2016: Recipes, Snacks with Panthers vs. Broncos Theme

Whether you're throwing a Super Bowl 50 party, attending one or planning to watch from the comfort of your couch, we have to talk about what you're planning to eat.

You could be a lifelong Denver Broncos or Carolina Panthers fan, or have never watched a down of football in your life, but no matter where you are, you're going to be eating on Sunday.

These Broncos- and Panthers-themed snacks will get your party started. If you're the host, incorporate them into your plans for your big spread.

If you're the guest, do something nice for your host and bring one of these snacks to the party. Don't be a freeloader.

Savory

Smoky Sweet Potato Dip with Blue Corn Chips

Bless you, Denver, for having orange as one of your team colors, because everyone knows that most of the world's most delicious foods are orange.

If you're a Broncos fan who loves dip, look no further than Regan Jones' smoky sweet potato dip. Served with blue corn tortilla chips, it will establish your orange-and-blue color scheme the right way.

Ingredients

1 medium sweet potato

1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce

2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice

1 tablespoon salsa

1/4 cup (2 ounces) shredded pepper jack cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Roast sweet potato at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork. Let cool and peel.

You knew that with the Panthers being in the Super Bowl, we'd have to go with Carolina barbecue here. But have you ever actually smoked a pork shoulder? That can take all day, giving you precious little time to relax and watch the game coverage.

That's why Mellissa Sevigny of I Breathe I'm Hungry has got you covered with easy-to-make Carolina barbecue meatballs. Bonus: They're low-carb and gluten-free, which means you can eat more of them...right?

Ingredients

For the meatballs

1 pound ground pork

1 teaspoon granulated sugar substitute (honey for Paleo)

1 teaspoon paprika (smoked, if you have it)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon ground cumin

¼ teaspoon celery salt

1 egg

¼ cup almond flour

1 tablespoon water

For the BBQ sauce

¼ cup yellow mustard

2 teaspoons Frank's hot sauce

1 tablespoon dried onion flakes

3 tablespoons granulated sugar substitute (honey for Paleo)

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons low-sugar ketchup

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

For the sauce

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, stirring until smooth. Simmer on low heat for about eight minutes.

For the meatballs

Combine all of the meatball ingredients in a medium bowl.

Form into 16 meatballs.

In a large, nonstick pan, fry the meatballs over medium heat until golden on all sides and cooked through (three to four minutes per side).

Toss the meatballs gently in the sauce, then spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and broil on low for two to three minutes.

Sweet

Orange Crush Cream Pie

This one is a serious throwback—the name being a nod to the dominant Denver defense of the 1970s and early-'80s. This extremely orange confection comes from Marise Gerrity, who got this recipe from her mother-in-law, and it was featured in the Denver Post. We think Von Miller would be proud to eat it.

If you like a treat that's a little sweet and a little salty, Laurie of Two Sisters Crafting has got you covered. She's got a super simple recipe for Carolina Panthers Pretzel Bites featuring pretzel snaps, Rolos and, of course, blue, white and black M&Ms.

Ingredients

Pretzel snaps

Rolo candies

Blue, white and black M&Ms

Directions

Place pretzel snaps on lined cookie sheet.

Place a Rolo in the middle of each pretzel.

Place the cookie sheet in a 250 degree oven and bake for about two minutes until just beginning to melt.

Place one M&M on the top of each Rolo, alternating colors.

Let cool and serve.

Fear not, Broncos fans. If you too can't resist the combination of salty pretzels and gooey chocolate, Two Sisters Crafting also has a Denver version of the pretzel bites.